TWENTY-SEVEN & EIGHT
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110 their way onto the tab. Eddie made a note for this group of vendors to have the option to renew next years contract at the end of the show. No deposit required. Right at six the radio squawked.“ Everyone is in place,” a voice from the control room stated.“ Show time!” Eddie announced, went to his truck and parked near the exit. He set up his video camera and pointed it at the door to catch the audience’ s reaction. As the first group exited, their body language was unmistakable. The laughter and the animated gestures were all he needed to see. He sat for half an hour with the camera running.
Eddie wanted the actors to see the fruits of their labor. Small flat screen monitors were in the break room, dressing rooms and make-up room. Everyday he planned to give them their accolades. Eddie went to his office and downloaded the video clip and checked on the control room. The girls pitching the comment cards were offering a free bottle of‘ Green Fear Factory’ water in exchange for a completed card. The young ladies looked a little embarrassed as they handed Eddie the short stack of cards.“ Great job!” he said, as he saw some of the cards had the lines at the bottom filled with personal comments.
The sun had set and Eddie was hungry after skipping lunch. He stepped in line at one of the burger stands.“ How’ s business?” he asked. The woman recognized him immediately.“ I had to call my son to bring more french fries. I’ m about to run out and we still have four more hours,” she said. Eddie considered the information.“ Do you want something to eat?” she asked.“ A burger, but I’ ll be right back,” he said, and ran toward the entrance. The line was still traversing the building, which meant the three turnstiles were full. Eddie looked into the portico and saw four of the six trash cans were over flowing. He grabbed one of the parking attendants who’ s job was also to collect trash at the end of the night.“ Get six liners and meet me at the entrance,” he said, and found one of the police officers.“ I need to get two of those guys, pointing to a group of black t-shirt wearing teens, to collect trash, but I don’ t want them to get beat up for cutting in line,” Eddie explained.“ Not a problem sir,” the officer stated and followed Eddie to the front doors.“ Here is your VIP ticket in. Please empty those trash cans quickly, you and your buddy are comped this weekend” he said, and returned, slightly out of breath, to get some food.
The burger woman had kept an eye out for Eddie. When he stepped to the rear of the line she caught his attention.“ Your dinner is ready,” she yelled and waved. Eddie stepped around the line and she saw the next guy in line give him a dirty look.“ He already paid,” she said, pushed the box toward Eddie, said thank you and took the guy’ s order. Sitting at his desk he opened the box. There was a cheeseburger with the works, french fries and onion rings inside. Eddie ate and went through the cards. He set the video camera on a tripod and began what was soon to become Fearsome News. He spoke and read from the cards.“ This is Eddie Dodge bringing you the daily report. Cindy wants the Butcher to pay the cleaning bill for her favorite pair of jeans. It seems she...” Eddie paused as if to think about how to reword what was written.“... suffered a sudden bladder malfunction. Sorry Cindy,” He tossed the card aside and picked up the next.“ This one is for the Mad Scientist from Goth Girl.” Eddie dead-panned the next card.“ Please come to dinner. You make me hot. Does your table fold? P. S. Don’ t forget your cattle prod. She left her phone number, address and e-mail. Next is from Roberto who wants someone to pay for his broken nose. It seems his girlfriend